Under lies the body of Mrs.
Christian Nicolas, late wife
To yet Honourable Colonel James Nicholas who departed this
life ye 2nd day of Feb. anno dom 1706/7 in the 31 year of her age.
The date may have been written in that manner because of
the year in which Pope Gregory XIII decreed that January 1st and not March
25th was New Year's Day, although it remains a matter for speculation.
Another reads (by my interpretation):
This Cathedral was repaired and
beautified, A.D. 1843,
Honb. R. B. Bernard, Dean, Rev. James Bredin, A. M.
Precentor, Rev. James Wilson, D.D. Chancellor, Rev. Wm. Brandon, A. B.
Treasurer, Hon. H. S. Stopford, Archdeacon.
Rev. Arthur St. George, Rev. John
Frith, Rev. Rob. Fishbourne, Rev. J. M. Stubbs, Prebendaries.
Rev. James Bredin, Economist
The Vigors family of Burgess in
Leighlinbridge is identified strongly with this church with 32 memorials
including a floor monument dated 1718 to Urban Vigors, High Sheriff, Co.
Carlow. Succeeding generations lived on the large family estate nearby and
a number held high offices of state, church or pursued military careers.
Nicholas Aylward Vigors who died in
1840 had a lifelong interest in science. With Sir Stamford Raffles he
founded the Zoological Society of London. Colonel Philip Doyne Vigors, JP,
served in the 11th Devonshire and 19th Princess of Wales Regiments, was VP
of the Royal Historical & Archaeological Association, IR, and established
the "Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in
Ireland" to record many faded tombstones in cemeteries; subsequent
published Annual Reports today are sought after by family researchers.
A timber lectern in the Cathedral in
the form of a eagle was presented in memory of Thomas Vigors (1800-1881)
and wife Sophie (d. age 38, Nov. 5, 1865) by sons Charles, Thomas, Urban
and Cliffe. Charles served in the Ceylon Civil Service, Cliffe was awarded
an OBE for service in the Royal Irish Regiment, Urban was Advocate Gen. of
W. Australia. Thomas succeeded his father as rector of Powerstown Parish
in Kilkenny.
Did you know that at one time there was
a Window Tax based upon the number of windows in a building; this did not
apply to churches.
Beautiful photos of the interior
of the Cathedral and much more information on the history behind the
Cathedral can be found in "Ireland of the Welcomes," a fine periodical
found where international magazines are sold, Vol. 49, No. 2 (Mar-April
2000), or requested via the Dublin-published magazine.